Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-10-19
DUTY
BY CATHERINE WELLS.


The bright sunlight of clear Apri
morning was stealing in through the
half closed shutters of the parlor o.
Widow Clayton's pleasant home, and
lighting with occasional flashes the
fine face of Albert Marshall, as hs
paced -estlessly across the room, and
encircling with a haio of golden light
the bowed head OF the young cir
half reclining in the low window seat
Out of doors all was bright and
beautiful, scarcely in harmony with
the Borrowing excitement which was
CONFUSING every Federal heart, for
the electric wires had borne to every
part Of the North the tidings of the
defeat of her sons by the Confeder.
ates.
1t was that which lighted up Albert
Marshall's face with such stern en-
thusiasm, and caused his restless
movements across the sun-lighted
room.
sit has become 8, matter Of duty
now," be was saying with sparkling
eyes; ''the best blood Of our native
state has been shed by the rebels, and
it is time every man who can shout
der musket should use it to redress
the wrong! My place IS IN the ranks,
and I cannot shrink from duty now.
Do you bid me go, Genie? Are you
willing l should go?"
"How can you ask 1t p she said at
last, with lips which quivered In spite
of her efforts at selt-cOntrol. "YOu
know full well l should never be will
ing"
mot when you know it is my duty,
and that should be proving myself a
coward and traitor to shrink from
it ?'' he said earnestly.
sit is not duty" she answered i'm
patiently; cit is only a boyish enthu-
siasm in you-a love of change and
excitement"
"OnIy a boyish enthusiasm! O,
Genie" ne said reproachfully, show
little you understand the feelings Of a
man in such q moment as this, when
our country's flag has been torn down
and defed. I must 60, Geniel | can
not shrink from the duty so sternly
imposed In one month Genie" he
resumed, "you were to have been my
wife, and l came here this morning
to ask you 10 forestall that time and
become mine before we paIt. Shall it
be SO, darling? 2"
He bent tenderly over her, awaiting
her answer.
For minute or SO she remained
silent; then raising her head, and
turning toward him a face white with
intense feeling, she said, with passion.
ate earnestness: mo; not now, nor
ever if you persist in this mad
scheme"
He rose slowly to his feet and stood
with folded arms sternly regarding
her.
There they stood, face to face; his
revealing sorrow, disappointment and
,surprise-her3 frmness, scorn and de.
fance.
"Virginia," he said at length, in
slow, measured tones, "what am to
understand by this?''
"Just what have said; If you per-
sist in this, our engagement is broken
forever +! The man whom | marry
must love me we'll enough to be will
ing to sacrifice his wishes TO mine
and not for O. little vain glory, rush
headlong into danger, from which
reason and Judgment would restrain
him
"And this is your final decision p
he asked coldly.
sit is; you can take your choice
remain at home and | will be your
wife at the appointed time, but per
.sist in this absurd scheme OF leaving
home and friends from a. mistaken
idea of duty, and we part forever, to-
I must stand first; no other love must
come between me and the man
marry"
Very, very eloquently he pleads
with her, portraying In vivid colori
all the necessities Of the case; but al
in vain.
"As we'll as have loved you, Vir
ginia," he said at last, finding all hi
efforts useless, "as well as love YOU
now, Icannot falter III the path o
duty. | must go; | cannot forsak'
my country IN her hour of need ~
very well; you have made you
choice; do not blame me if you regre
it."
Slowly and deliberately she tool
the engagement ring from her fngel
and held it towards him.
For a moment he stood silently re
garding her as she held the ring out
towards him, with that cold, sterr
look on her face; then taking it, h'
cast it to the fartherest corner of tn,
room.
s.Thus would / cast out from my
heart" he said, bitterly, ''every
thought of woman so unworthy my
love, that at the moment when